Value

Membership fee £200 for the year 2018. We are not the cheapest of the family mediator organisations, but we do believe that we provide the best value for money.

Recognition

FMA is one of the lead bodies of the Family Mediation Council. Membership of an organisation belonging to the FMC is a prerequisite for recognition as a qualified family mediator. Without such membership it is not possible to obtain professional insurance as a family mediator or to conduct legal aid mediations or to be included on the FMC’s searchable database of family mediators or to be recognised as a mediator qualified to sign court forms.

Leadership

Involvement in the FMC is just part of the leading role FMA plays in shaping the future of family mediation in England and Wales, a role it has undertaken with pride for over 25 years. FMA contributes both vision and a respected voice to the national debate on family mediation at all levels. FMA participates in national publicity campaigns to promote family mediation as a process. FMA’s legal aid group provides much needed support to legal aid family mediators hit hard by recent changes to the way in which legal aid works and lobbies government organisations on behalf of members.

Communication

Members receive a regular electronic newsletter which provides interesting and timely information about developments in family mediation and the wider family justice system, as well as updates about FMA as an organisation. Between issues of the newsletter members receive an electronic bulletin, providing ‘bite size’ pieces of information and links to more detail. Urgent news that needs to be communicated between issues of the bulletin is sent to members by e-mail.

Active membership

FMA is an independent body with charitable status, all of whose members are family mediation specialists. We recognise and value the multi-disciplinary backgrounds of all our members. All full members are entitled to vote in elections to the FMA Board, to stand for election, to participate in the AGM and in other significant decisions and to contribute to policy, including through our growing network of working groups.

Website

FMA’s website attracts 100 hits a day, and includes an online database of FMA members which members of the public can search to find their local FMA mediators. The site also hosts on-line renewal of membership (featuring pre-filled forms requiring members to enter only any changes that need to be recorded) and on-line registration for events, including the option of online payment. The site was redesigned and re-launched in 2014.

Access to training

Members are entitled to discounted attendance at FMA’s training events, including the annual National Conference which carries CPD points. FMA has a developing programme of advanced training courses, at prices, in places, and on topics requested by you and to suit your needs, open to all but substantially discounted for members. These include training for the unique FMA qualification ‘Senior Mediator Status’, our ‘badge of excellence’ tailored to the particular needs of experienced mediators.

Telephone support

A professional team of administrative staff is available throughout the week to answer the FMA telephone. We receive 50-75 calls a week from the general public and FMA members.

PPC Support

FMA’s large Professional Practice Consultancy Network established throughout the country offers members invaluable guidance and support. FMA PPCs are held to the highest professional standards.

Discounts

FMA members have access to a sound and competitively rated scheme for professional insurance and discounted Yellow Pages advertising, via the FMA corporate scheme.

Enhanced Disclosures

DCC qualified mediators need an enhanced disclosure which must be renewed every three years. If you need an enhanced disclosure and your employer is not listed with a disclosure provider, FMA has an arrangement with APCS, and is on the APCS list of employers, which means that as an FMA member you can quote our name when applying for your disclosure.

Marketing Packs

FMA have been working closely with PR company, The Partners Group. Together we have devised marketing packs for our members to access via the members area of the website which includes a six step guide to marketing as well as 7 ‘how to’ guides. As part of this marketing pack we have designed print ready artwork for some client information leaflets for you to download and take to a printer, taking the design work and cost out of your pocket.

Additional benefits for PPCs:

Regional network of PPCs

Introduced in 2013, the regional network gives all our PPCs the opportunity to find and to provide support to one another, to communicate more easily with one another and with the FMA Board and to develop their own practice as PPCs.

PPC Update Training

Our PPCs are able to attend a choice of discounted PPC networking and training days held around the country, carrying specialist and recognised PPC CPD. These training days were completely redesigned in 2013, with a clear structure and a practical focus on helping PPCs meet the professional supervision needs of their supervisees.